Easy e-paper has finally arrived for microcontrollers! This breakout board makes it incredibly simple to add a tri - color eInk display. You've probably seen e - readers like the Kindle or Nook. They have large electronic paper static displays. The image stays on even when the power is off, with high contrast and excellent daylight readability, looking just like printed paper. We've loved these displays for ages, but until now, there were no breakouts designed for makers. So, we made our own! The FeatherWing features a 1.54 - inch monochrome (black and white) display. It has a higher resolution than our 1.54 - inch Tri - Color display, with 152x152 black pixels on a near - white background. Monochrome displays update much faster, taking only a couple of seconds instead of 15! Using our CircuitPython or Arduino libraries, you can create a 'frame buffer' for the pixels you want to activate and write it to the display. But storing 200 x 200 pixels (8 KBytes) can be a challenge for many microcontroller memories. That's why we added a small SRAM chip on the back. It shares the SPI port with the eInk display, needing only one extra pin. No more frame - buffering hassle! You can set up your display content in the SRAM and transfer it to the eInk when ready. Our library does all the work, and you can interface with it as if it were an Adafruit_GFX compatible display. For ultra - low power use, the onboard 3.3V regulator has an Enable pin so you can turn off power to the SRAM and display. There's also a MicroSD socket for storing images, text files, or anything you want to show. It's 3 or 5V logic safe, suitable for all microcontrollers. The product comes assembled and tested, with some header. You'll need a soldering iron to attach the header for breadboarding or your project. Technical details: Overall dimension: 43.5mm x 43mm x 4.6mm / 1.7 inches x 1.6 inches x 0.18 inches; 4 x 0.1 inches / 2.5mm mounting holes in corners; Display size: 28mm x 28mm / 1.1 inches x 1.1 inches; Weight: 8.8g. As of February 5, 2024, we've updated the PCB with Adafruit Pinguin for a nice and clear silkscreen. There's also a new EYESPI connector for easier cabling with an 18 - pin FPC.
Using this Adafruit eInk display is a breeze. First, if you plan to use it on a breadboard or integrate it into your project, you'll need to use a soldering iron to attach the provided header. Once that's done, you can start working with it. To display something on the screen, you can use our CircuitPython or Arduino libraries. Just create a 'frame buffer' to decide which pixels you want to light up and then write that data to the display. Thanks to the SRAM chip on the back, you don't have to worry about memory limitations in your microcontroller. You can set up your display content in the SRAM and transfer it to the eInk display when you're ready. The library takes care of all the complex work for you. For power - conscious users, you can use the Enable pin on the 3.3V regulator to turn off power to the SRAM and display when not in use. This helps save energy. You can also use the MicroSD socket to store images, text files, or other content you want to show on the display. Remember, this product is 3 or 5V logic safe, so it can work with any microcontroller. When it comes to maintenance, keep it in a dry and clean environment. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or physical shocks. If you're using the new EYESPI connector, make sure the 18 - pin FPC cable is properly connected to ensure smooth cabling.
